World Cup Predictions: Matchweek 3

GROUP A

THURSDAY:

CZECH REPUBLIC V MEXICO

Czech Republic started brightly against South Africa but they weren't able to build on it as South Africa were able to get themselves back in the game and stay in it.

This game is a must win for them if they want to reach the knockout stages because anything less will see them eliminated.

Mexico are already through to the knockout stages after beating South Korea but I don't see them playing a weakened team here because they'll want to top the group.

The Czech's will look to make it difficult for them as they're a team who are tough to beat and like to get men behind the ball.

But Javier Aguirre's side should still have enough in them to come out on top in this game.

PREDICTION: 1-2

SOUTH AFRICA V SOUTH KOREA

South Africa have started each of their two games at this World Cup slowly but they did show a bit more against the Czech Republic than they did against Mexico.

If they're to win this game and get out the group, they'll need to start this game much quicker because South Korea will punish if they start slowly again.

South Korea were disappointing against Mexico where they were let down by their keeper who was as fault for the goal they conceded.

I think they'll bounce back in this one as they've got more quality in attack and I can see them punish South Africa for making a slow start to the game.

PREDICTION: 0-2

GROUP B

WEDNESDAY:

BOSNIA V QATAR

Both sides were on the end of heavy defeats in their last game and this one is a must win for both if they're to reach the knockout stages.

Bosnia were in the game against Switzerland up until the Swiss brought their subs on which proved to be the turning point in the game.

Qatar defended well in their opening game against Switzerland but were undone by Canada's quality in their second game where they had two players sent off.

I'm not expecting this to be a brilliant game because both sides don't possess a bag load of quality.

But if one team is to win it, I think it will be Bosnia because they're arguably the better team on paper in terms of quality.

PREDICTION: 1-0

SWITZERLAND V CANADA

Switzerland looked a bit flat against Bosnia until their subs came on as it was their subs that changed the game for them.

Ruben Vargas made the biggest impact out of all of them and he surely has to start this one because of the difference he made when he came on.

Canada got their first ever win at a World Cup against Qatar but their victory was overshadowed by that horrific injury to Ismael Kone.

That injury reminded me of the one Andre Gomes picked up for Everton when they played Spurs a few years ago and the reaction on the players' faces was very much the same as well.

The Canada players will very much be thinking of him when they go out and perform in this game which is one they need to get something from in order to reach the knockout stages.

I can see this being an open game as both sides like to play on the front foot and I think both teams will score because of this.

But I think Switzerland will come out on top because they're the better team on paper and should have just enough equality to win the game and top the group.

PREDICTION: 2-1

GROUP C

MOROCCO V HAITI

Morocco dominated the first half against Scotland and they did enough to hold onto their lead in the second half where Scotland piled on the pressure.

Haiti were outclassed by Brazil in their last game and are now out of the World Cup as a result of it following two defeats in two games.

They'll want to put in a performances in this one because they'll want to make their fans proud and send them home on a positive note.

But I don't see that happening because I think Morocco will outplay them and get the win to send themselves into the knockout stages.

PREDICTION: 2-0

SCOTLAND V BRAZIL

Scotland were outplayed by Morocco in the first half but they did improve in the second half and will feel hard done by as they probably should've had a penalty towards the end.

This will be their fifth game against Brazil at a World Cup and they've lost all but one of their meetings against them and they'll need to go one better in this one if they're to reach the knockout rounds.

Brazil were a much improved side against Haiti following their flat display against Morocco and Carlo Ancelotti will want a repeat of that performance in this one.

Scotland will probably set themselves up to be tough to beat and get men behind the ball because Brazil will almost certainly have the majority of the possession.

But Brazil will still find a way to win the game because they have the quality of players to do so and Carlo Ancelotti's teams always find a way to win games.

PREDICTION: 0-2

GROUP D

FRIDAY:

PARAGUAY V AUSTRALIA

Paraguay were seen as the underdogs in this group and here they are heading into their final group game with a chance of making it to the knockout stages.

They got off to the perfect start against Turkey by scoring early before defending well for the rest of the game and with ten men as well whilst dealing with a lot of Turkey pressure.

Australia have been a side at this tournament who have defended what they've got before hitting teams on the counter which is how Paraguay like to play.

That should make this a close game but a low scoring one because they're both defensively solid and organised.

Because Australia are the stronger team on paper and the team with arguably more quality, I think they'll be the side that come out on top and book their place in the knockout stages.

PREDICTION: 0-1

TURKEY V USA

Turkey have been the biggest disappointment at this World Cup in that a lot of people were expecting them to get out of this group because of the potential their squad has, but they ended up crashing out at the group stages.

They were wasteful against Paraguay and they'll no doubt be kicking themselves for the many chances they missed.

USA already have their place in the knockout stages booked and have all but guaranteed top spot in their group.

I don't see Mauricio Pochettino making many changes to his team for this one despite them already being through because he'll want to make sure that they finish top of the group for good and end the group stages on a high.

Whether he does or not won't have an impact on the score line because I'm backing the US to finish the job against an out of sorts Turkey team.

PREDICTION: 0-3

GROUP E

THURSDAY:

CURACAO V IVORY COAST

Curacao got their first World Cup point against Ecuador and had keeper Eloy Room to thank for as his record breaking number of saves kept them in the game.

They're just a win away from making the knockout stages at a World Cup finals which for a country of their size would be an incredible achievement.

Ivory Coast competed well against Germany and although they lost, they will still take a lot of heart from the performance they put in.

All they need from this game is a win and they might have to dig in to get it as Curacao will probably get men behind the ball and be difficult to beat.

But Ivory Coast should still have enough quality in them to find a way and win the game to put themselves in the next round.

PREDICTION: 0-2

ECUADOR V GERMANY

Ecuador had a host of chances against Curacao but wasted all of them as they were constantly denied by Curacao keeper Eloy Room.

They will see that draw as a big opportunity missed because it was against a side who they were very much expecting to beat.

Germany had their subs to thank for against Ivory Coast and especially Denis Undav as it was his two goals that won them the game.

With the Germans' place in the knockout stages already secure, Undav might get a start in this one after coming off the bench and scoring in each of their two games so far.

But Julian Nagelsmann will probably keep him on the bench because he feels that he's better as an impact player and will want his side to make sure they finish top of their group and for that to happen, he'll want to play his strongest team.

Whether he makes changes to his team or not, the Germans should still have enough quality in them to come out on top and win the group.

PREDICTION: 0-2

GROUP F

FRIDAY:

JAPAN V SWEDEN

Japan blew Tunisia away in their last game and they only need at least a point here to make the knockout stages.

Sweden had their chances against Holland and especially in the first half but defensively they looked vulnerable and were all over the place.

I can see Japan exploit that weakness in this one knowing the kind of team they are and because of this I can see this being a fairly straightforward win for them.

PREDICTION: 3-1

TUNISIA V HOLLAND

Tunisia have had an absolute nightmare of a World Cup and not just because they've lost their opening two games, but because they've let in nine goals across both games and sacked their manager after the first one.

Holland really showed their quality against Sweden with Brian Brobbey in particular impressing with his ability to bring people into play and act as a target man.

The Dutch for a while have been crying out for a clinical no.9 and Brobbey's performance alongside his two goals suggests that he could be that player.

I can only see this being another comfortable win for Ronald Koeman's side because Tunisia are seriously low on confidence and I think the Dutch will have too much quality for them.

PREDICTION: 0-4

GROUP G

SATURDAY:

EGYPT V IRAN

Egypt got their first ever win at a World Cup against New Zealand and now have a great opportunity to finish top of their group.

They moved to the top of the group as a result of their win over New Zealand and a win in this game will seal top spot in the group.

Iran have been a side who have shown resilience and fight at this World Cup and they're clearly wanting to do their country proud.

Their people have had a tough time back home over the last few months and they're doing them proud by giving them something to cheer about with the performances they're putting in.

They'll make it difficult for Egypt in this one as they're a side who are tough to beat and always in games as they have been in both games so far.

But I think Egypt will find a way to win the game and top the group as they have enough quality in their side to do so.

PREDICTION: 1-0

NEW ZEALAND V BELGIUM

New Zealand started brightly against Egypt and were the better side in the first half overall with the chances they had.

I can see them cause Belgium a few problems in this game as they do pose a threat on the attack and Belgium are not the best of teams defensively.

Belgium have been far from convincing at this World Cup and they're one game away from another group stage exit.

They'll have Jeremy Doku back for this one which would be a massive boost for them because he was a big miss for them against Iran as they missed his pace and ability to crosses into the box.

I'm not expecting them to be convincing here based on the performances they've put in so far, but I do think they'll find a way to win because they have a bit more in quality than New Zealand do.

PREDICTION: 1-2

GROUP H

SATURDAY:

CAPE VERDE V SAUDI ARABIA

Cape Verde are only a win away from reaching the knockout stages after taking points off the two toughest teams in the group in Spain and Uruguay.

They would've taken a draw against both sides without a shadow of a doubt before the tournament started and if they can take points of both of them, then they should beat Saudi.

Saudi Arabia may be the better team on paper when you look at the two sides, but Cape Verde so far have had the better World Cup.

The Saudi's were outclassed by Spain in their last game and will need to win this game in order to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 1994.

Because Cape Verde have been the story of the World Cup so far, I'm backing them to pull off a shock result in this one and reach the knockout stages.

PREEDICTION: 1-0

URUGUAY V SPAIN

Uruguay were let down by two key things against Cape Verde in wasteful finishing and a defensive error with the latter leading to Cape Verde's equaliser.

They look decent in other areas but up top they're lacking a clinical goal scorer and it's why they're no longer the team they used to be.

Spain looked more like the side we were expecting to see against Saudi Arabia and Lamine Yamal's return to the starting line up made the difference.

They play with more urgency when Yamal's on the pitch as he showed against Saudi where he got himself his first World Cup goal.

I can see him make the difference in this one as well because I'm backing Spain to win this game and seal top spot in the group.

PREDICTION: 1-3

GROUP I

FRIDAY:

NORWAY V FRANCE

This is one game I've been looking forward to since the start of the tournament simply because of two of the world's best players facing off against one another in Haaland and Mbappe.

Both teams already have their place in the knockout stages booked after winning both of their group games so far which makes this game a group decider as the winner will win the group.

Norway aren't as strong as France on paper, but they'll still fancy their chances and especially with the players like Haaland and Martin Odegaard in their side.

France at the moment look like the side that could go all the way because of the way they're playing and the strength of their squad overall.

I said going into the tournament that they have the strongest squad on paper and it's why I have them down as my favourites to win this tournament.

I think they'll lay down a marker in this game because I'm backing them to win it with another good and convincing performance to win the group.

PREDICTION: 1-3

SENEGAL V IRAQ

Both sides are yet to win a point at this World Cup so far and if both do end up going home, they'll want to go home on a positive note.

Senegal were in the game against Norway and were close to coming away with a point only for their late corner to be intercepted.

Iraq were outclassed by France just like I thought they would be and they were again guilty of making another error that lead to a goal when they trying to play out from the back.

The same happened in their first game against Norway and although Senegal don't have players of the calibre of Haaland or Mbappe, they still need to avoid making the same mistake in this one.

But I can only see it happening again and I think Senegal will punish them because they have players in their attack capable of pouncing on defensive errors.

PREDICTION: 2-0

GROUP J

SUNDAY:

ALGERIA V AUSTRIA

Algeria responded well in the second half against Jordan after going behind before half time in a game they had to show fight in order to get the result.

Austria were outclassed by Argentina in their last game but they did well to keep the score down and did have a few decent chances themselves.

I can see this game very much being defence v attack because Algeria will probably set themselves up to be tough to beat with men behind the ball whereas Austria will have the majority of the possession and the chances.

It will be a close contest and I think Austria will be the side that come out on top because I think they'll have just enough to win the game.

PREDICTION: 1-2

JORDAN V ARGENTINA

Jordan have definitely been in games at this World Cup and they were the better side in the first half against Algeria.

They might be going home after losing both of their two group games so far, but their fans will still feel proud of the performances their side have put in.

Argentina already have their place in the knockout stages booked after winning both of their group games so far against Algeria and Austria.

Lionel Messi has scored all their goals at this World Cup so far and I'm amazed that he's still as brilliant as he always has been at the age he is.

Now that he's the all-time record World Cup goal scorer after breaking that record against Austria, he surely has to be the greatest footballer of all-time and I've been saying that for many years.

His Argentina team won't have it easy in this one as Jordan are going to make it difficult for them by getting men behind the ball and being difficult to beat.

But they should still have more than enough to win this game and I can see Messi produce another masterclass.

PREDICTION: 0-3

GROUP K

COLOMBIA V PORTUGAL

Colombia didn't have it all their own way against DR Congo but they still came away with the win to book their place in the knockout stages.

Portugal were much improved against Uzbekistan as they moved the ball a lot quicker and got Cristiano Ronaldo in the game more.

Ronaldo silenced his critics with his two goals after a lot of people were saying that Portugal were probably a better team without him following his poor performance against Congo.

He showed against Uzbekistan that he's still capable of delivering on the world stage and that there is still life in him at 41 years of age.

I probably would've had Colombia down to win this game about a week ago because of how well they played in their opening game against Uzbekistan compared to Portugal's performance against DR Congo.

But after Portugal's much improved performance against Uzbekistan, I'm going to give them the win instead because Colombia can be got at defensively and Portugal have players who can exploit their defensive vulnerabilities.

Both teams will score because they both have players in their attack who can score goals, but I think Portugal will come out on top.

PREDICTION: 2-3

DR CONGO V UZBEKISTAN

DR Congo have been a difficult team to play against at this World Cup but I think they'll play more on the front foot in this one.

Uzbekistan are a side who base themselves on defensive solidity and will be happy to just sit back and wait to hit Congo on the counter attack.

But we haven't seen that defensive solidity at this tournament as they've let in eight goals with five of them being conceded against Portugal.

They should be more watertight in this one as they're facing a side who aren't as strong as the two they've already faced.

But as Congo have a bit more in terms of attacking quality, I think they'll be the side that come out on top in this one.

PREDICTION: 2-0

GROUP L

SATURDAY:

CROATIA V GHANA

Croatia were made to work for their win against Panama where they had keeper Dominik Livakovic to thank for with the crucial saves he made.

This will be another game where they will have to work because Ghana will be by no means an easy opponent as they showed against England.

Ghana were brilliant defensively against England by getting men behind the ball and making it incredibly difficult for England.

I can see them set up that way in this one because Croatia will probably have most of ball and will be happy to sit deep and let them have possession.

But I do think they'll go for it a bit more as well because Croatia are an ageing team and they'll look to exploit the lack of energy in their team.

They had moments where they looked dangerous on the counter attack against England and as Croatia are not the best defensively alongside the lack of energy in their team, I think Ghana will hit them on the counter and win the game.

PREDICTION: 0-1

PANAMA V ENGLAND

Panama are a much different side to the one that lost 6-1 to England in 2018 in that they're tougher to play against and more competitive.

They've made it difficult for teams at this World Cup by being tough to beat and well organised defensively and I can see them setting up that way in this one.

England looked flat against Ghana and it was because Ghana made them look that way by frustrating them and being incredibly tough to beat.

They'll be up against a similar kind of team in this one and if they're to win this game they'll need to move the ball a lot quicker than they did against Ghana.

I think all the fans got maybe too excited after the win over Croatia and their performance against Ghana will give them a reality check.

I'm expecting Thomas Tuchel to make changes for this game and I'm hoping that he'll swap Madueke and Gordon for Saka and Rashford because the former haven't done enough in the games they've played in.

Saka should definitely start after building up his fitness in each of the last two games and I can see him making more of an impact than Madueke has done so far.

Because I think Saka will start, I think England will move the ball a lot quicker, get the right crosses into the box and win the game to seal top spot in the group.

PREDICTION: 0-2